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My countrymen, we have once again been struck with Leninist propaganda! This talk of a four hour workday is pure madness! There is simply no possibility for it to succeed! Our economy would be in shambles in months; we would be the laughing stock of the world. If you want a lot of empty, impossible promises, vote for Cornelius Dank and the ESA. If you want actual work to be done, realistic goals, and a bright future for Eutopia, vote against the 4-hour workday!
Join the P4P! The Party for Progress is the most dynamic party in the United Provinces of Eutopia!
Applications are accepted here.
- The P4P has two senators, as many as any party.
- The P4P MGA proposed the only bill to pass in the General Assembly this term.
- The most active member of the cabinet is from the P4P.
- The P4P suggested the compromise that will get our Air Force rebuilt.
- The P4P is actively working to improve relations with our neighbors.
Applications are accepted here.
If the speaker and deputy speaker of the General Assemby had worked a four hour workday, the High Court wouldn't have needed to vacate those offices and call for new elections.HJ Tulp said:
Hmmmmm, I asked a question about the 4-hour Workday itself not about the General Assembly.
I was merely pointing out, that for some people, moving to a four-hour work day would be an increase, not a decrease.
In the absence of welfare, which makes this a hypothetical situation, some people could "get by" today on a four hour work day. Some of those because they have savings and investments, others because they have valuable talents that are rewarded in the market place. Of people in that situation, some work less than four hour workdays, some work more. Those who choose to work more presumably have preferences that, at the margin, value a bit more income over a bit more leisure. For example, if someone in that situation got tired of playing Europa Universalis I and wanted to try playing Europa Univeralis II, he could choose to work a few extra hours to buy the newer game and miss out on playing more Europa Universalis I while he was working to be able to afford the new game. While Eutopians might not be the most materialistic people in the world, I expect that most of them would choose to work more than four hours, to have more or better goods and services to enjoy in somewhat less leisure time.
Cornelius Dank is probably correct that the population of the UPE could "get by" on four-hour work days, but that implies a significant adjustment in the pattern of consumption, as there would be less surplus beyond what was needed to keep body and soul together. For some of us, *Loic gestures to his waistline* there could be some health benefits. As for idea in general, is clear that he raised it as method of focusing the public debate, in a manner designed to provoke responses, which it succeeded in doing. Will some practical proposals that can improve work/life balance, reduce unemployment, or generally improve our lot come out of this debate? Time will tell. But it amply illustrates the point that there are other things that should be discussed besides ending arms embargoes and cabinet reshuffles.
In the absence of welfare, which makes this a hypothetical situation, some people could "get by" today on a four hour work day. Some of those because they have savings and investments, others because they have valuable talents that are rewarded in the market place. Of people in that situation, some work less than four hour workdays, some work more. Those who choose to work more presumably have preferences that, at the margin, value a bit more income over a bit more leisure. For example, if someone in that situation got tired of playing Europa Universalis I and wanted to try playing Europa Univeralis II, he could choose to work a few extra hours to buy the newer game and miss out on playing more Europa Universalis I while he was working to be able to afford the new game. While Eutopians might not be the most materialistic people in the world, I expect that most of them would choose to work more than four hours, to have more or better goods and services to enjoy in somewhat less leisure time.
Cornelius Dank is probably correct that the population of the UPE could "get by" on four-hour work days, but that implies a significant adjustment in the pattern of consumption, as there would be less surplus beyond what was needed to keep body and soul together. For some of us, *Loic gestures to his waistline* there could be some health benefits. As for idea in general, is clear that he raised it as method of focusing the public debate, in a manner designed to provoke responses, which it succeeded in doing. Will some practical proposals that can improve work/life balance, reduce unemployment, or generally improve our lot come out of this debate? Time will tell. But it amply illustrates the point that there are other things that should be discussed besides ending arms embargoes and cabinet reshuffles.
Just a question, how could the entrepreneurs pay a full wage to all of his workers, after having them doubled in number?
I think that a 8 hour workday it's fair enough amount of work, not too much and not too weighting on the budget.
I think that a 8 hour workday it's fair enough amount of work, not too much and not too weighting on the budget.
I would remind MGA Levarge that the pension reform bill proposed by my P4P colleague Jean Saint Daere did pass the General Assembly and was duly presented to the Senate for its consideration by the former speaker. I hope some of the General's exhortations reverberate in the Senate, and they swiftly act upon that bill that will stimulate economic development in Eutopia.
POSITION OF MTIA
The president of the UPE is currently looking to fill a Cabinet position...that of MTIA.
Serious applications only. The president is looking for someone preferably with experience in Eutopian politics, preferably in a previous Cabinet or Deputy position; or a career in Diplomacy.
Interested applicants please drop by in person at the Diamond Office
Josephus
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT:
President Josephus Locke Sergei today announces that effective immediately MIDA Loic De Fourgeres will replace MTIA Bob Austri as Vice-president.
Josephus
President Josephus Locke Sergei today announces that effective immediately MIDA Loic De Fourgeres will replace MTIA Bob Austri as Vice-president.
Josephus
(OOC: Please don’t interpret this as a personal attack on the mod’s decision to do something about the inactivity in the General Assembly, merely as an IC reaction to the judicial branch asserting its authority over the legislative branch, by a member of the executive branch. That something needed to be done is not being debated, what was done should be expected to generate some legitimate IC reaction.)
Let me preface these remarks by stating that I am not speaking for the President on this matter.
Is it just me, or does any one else find the way that the prior interim and newly elevated chief judge of the High Court have be acting a wee bit, how shall I say this, dictatorial? First, consider the order handed down and posted in the assembly. It was a judicial order, but was labeled a “Constitutional” order. It was unilateral. It was not a result of a suit of some aggrieved party complaining that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker didn’t perform some constitutionally required duty. The case was not vetted and brought to them by the Commissioner of Justice. There was no chance for arguments to be heard. The decision was not restrained, such as “The Speaker of the General Assembly is hereby given one week to show cause why he should not be deemed to have resigned the office due to his abandonment of the duties thereof.” Looking back at the GA transcript, the only action he did not seem to do that would have been expected was to welcome replacement ESA MGA Lamont Rashaad to the assembly. The normal remedy would have been for the MGA to propose a resolution censuring the speakers or replacing him on their own. This didn’t happen, so perhaps the rest of the GA were not as incensed about the matter as the court appears to have been. Given all the additional functions that the High Court took upon itself to exercise in this case, the label may not be inappropriate.
Since that time, newly elevated Justice Clay has, on more the one occasion, exercised privileges not due her, by intruding on the floor of the General Assembly without its invitation. It was established by a case, that the President can only go there by invitation, yet the Justice Clay acts as if the rule doesn’t apply to her. If any one of the current MGAs will say here that she is in violation of the rules of the General Assembly in so doing, then I will give instructions that FLEA arrest her for trespassing on Federal property if she attempts to enter the General Assembly again without an invitation, as I would for any duly recognized official having authority over a piece of Federal property.
If we, for the purposes of this part of this discussion, ignore the flaws of the original ruling, then designating the most senior MGA recently active in the GA from the party that received the most votes for their GA slate in the last election as the MGA to conduct the election for a new speaker would have preferable to this repeated violation of a part of the principle of separation of powers.
Besides the flaws in the process of establishing the ruling, which would seem to go directly against some of the principles handed down in the Teano v. Smith decision, there are numerous other debatable points in the ruling itself. Under normal circumstances, an interested party could file papers with the Commission of Justice to have the constitutionality of the actions in question checked. Now this is a long shot, as the composition of the court has only changed by one person since the ruling was handed down unanimously, but we are denied by circumstance even this possibility of relief by the resignation of the prior Commissioner of Justice. We can’t have a new one until the GA acts, and the running of the GA is the point on which relief might be sought, so any ruling would be too late.
One might interpret the failure of the judicially imposed Speaker election as protest by MGA that were displeased or offended by the court’s continued meddling or excessive interference. The normal remedy for a party choosing and not replacing inactive MGAs is fewer votes in the next election, unless the people want inactive MGAs. The court, like everyone else, is entitled to vote in those elections, but the whole country gets to vote, not just a handful of judges. If they are extremely discontent, and think they can do better, let them resign their judgeships when the elections approach and see if the people support the Judges’ Party over the others that may compete at that time.
Let me preface these remarks by stating that I am not speaking for the President on this matter.
Is it just me, or does any one else find the way that the prior interim and newly elevated chief judge of the High Court have be acting a wee bit, how shall I say this, dictatorial? First, consider the order handed down and posted in the assembly. It was a judicial order, but was labeled a “Constitutional” order. It was unilateral. It was not a result of a suit of some aggrieved party complaining that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker didn’t perform some constitutionally required duty. The case was not vetted and brought to them by the Commissioner of Justice. There was no chance for arguments to be heard. The decision was not restrained, such as “The Speaker of the General Assembly is hereby given one week to show cause why he should not be deemed to have resigned the office due to his abandonment of the duties thereof.” Looking back at the GA transcript, the only action he did not seem to do that would have been expected was to welcome replacement ESA MGA Lamont Rashaad to the assembly. The normal remedy would have been for the MGA to propose a resolution censuring the speakers or replacing him on their own. This didn’t happen, so perhaps the rest of the GA were not as incensed about the matter as the court appears to have been. Given all the additional functions that the High Court took upon itself to exercise in this case, the label may not be inappropriate.
Since that time, newly elevated Justice Clay has, on more the one occasion, exercised privileges not due her, by intruding on the floor of the General Assembly without its invitation. It was established by a case, that the President can only go there by invitation, yet the Justice Clay acts as if the rule doesn’t apply to her. If any one of the current MGAs will say here that she is in violation of the rules of the General Assembly in so doing, then I will give instructions that FLEA arrest her for trespassing on Federal property if she attempts to enter the General Assembly again without an invitation, as I would for any duly recognized official having authority over a piece of Federal property.
If we, for the purposes of this part of this discussion, ignore the flaws of the original ruling, then designating the most senior MGA recently active in the GA from the party that received the most votes for their GA slate in the last election as the MGA to conduct the election for a new speaker would have preferable to this repeated violation of a part of the principle of separation of powers.
Besides the flaws in the process of establishing the ruling, which would seem to go directly against some of the principles handed down in the Teano v. Smith decision, there are numerous other debatable points in the ruling itself. Under normal circumstances, an interested party could file papers with the Commission of Justice to have the constitutionality of the actions in question checked. Now this is a long shot, as the composition of the court has only changed by one person since the ruling was handed down unanimously, but we are denied by circumstance even this possibility of relief by the resignation of the prior Commissioner of Justice. We can’t have a new one until the GA acts, and the running of the GA is the point on which relief might be sought, so any ruling would be too late.
One might interpret the failure of the judicially imposed Speaker election as protest by MGA that were displeased or offended by the court’s continued meddling or excessive interference. The normal remedy for a party choosing and not replacing inactive MGAs is fewer votes in the next election, unless the people want inactive MGAs. The court, like everyone else, is entitled to vote in those elections, but the whole country gets to vote, not just a handful of judges. If they are extremely discontent, and think they can do better, let them resign their judgeships when the elections approach and see if the people support the Judges’ Party over the others that may compete at that time.
Before you embark on the decidedly risky course of attempting to arrest the Chief Justice of the High Court, Per Fourgeres, let me point out that our criminal code does not statutorily punish criminal trespass, and under the common law there can be no trespass on public property during normal business hours.
As for your other claims, if I am confirmed as Commissioner of Justice you are welcome to bring your case. I must tell you, however, that a ruling to your benefit would fly in the face of all past practice on this point.
~Hawkton J. Tilly, Esq.
As for your other claims, if I am confirmed as Commissioner of Justice you are welcome to bring your case. I must tell you, however, that a ruling to your benefit would fly in the face of all past practice on this point.
~Hawkton J. Tilly, Esq.
Thank-you, Per Tilly. I have expressed my view. If I am the only one with such a view, then there is nothing to be done. If an MGA complains, then, on your advice, we will look to see whether the GA needs to appoint a sargent-at-arms to prevent uninvited intrusions or they can legitimately call on FLEA for assistance in such a matter.
As for bringing the case after you are confirmed, I thank you for your kind offer and advice, but it would then be too late to provide relief in this case, and a better venue for making sure it doesn't happen again would be a constitutional amendment, so I would not foresee bringing such a matter to you.
As for bringing the case after you are confirmed, I thank you for your kind offer and advice, but it would then be too late to provide relief in this case, and a better venue for making sure it doesn't happen again would be a constitutional amendment, so I would not foresee bringing such a matter to you.
The newly reconvened General Assembly is debating a Value Added Tax or VAT. Two versions were considered considered earlier in the term, but ESA MGA Gonzov proposed and ESA Dank seconded the version now before the GA, which is has a 10% standard rate with some exemptions and some items deemed "luxury items" subject to a 25% rate. The budget projection for term nine provided by the ECB included the following note:
The President ran and was elected on a platform that prominently featured a promise to increase social spending, particularly on medical care, as well as a promise not to cut social spending to fund the military. The people also elected a General Assembly in which a conservative party (CUE) and a moderate party that chose to ally themselves with it (UMP) together held 5 seats in the General Assembly, making it difficult for the government to get a budget passed that would fund those promises.
Since taking office, we have all learned of the worse than previously known condition of our air force. I suggested a compromise that might permit some of those popularly mandated aims to be achieved, that a deal be struck with one or more conservative MGAs whereby if a VAT were approved a set portion would be directed to fund rebuilding of the air force and other necessary repairs and modernization, but not an overall increase or arms build-up. The President met with MGA General Levarge, who had a longer list of requests, but understanding the political situation, was willing to accept this compromise and presumably would have voted for a VAT that was approximately equivalent to the one analyzed by the ECB. That would have provided the necessary 5 votes, if the P4P MGA and every ESA MGA voted for and all the rest of the CUE and UMP MGAs voted against. The General is no longer in the General Assembly, but the deal is still on the table.
I can understand how Kazimierz Reczynski would want to make sure to record his vote against it. The MGAs in general should debate and possibly amend the goods subject to exemption and the goods subject to luxury rates, and what the luxury rate should be. They might even want to adjust the basic 10% rate, but when the best VAT bill that they can devise comes up for a vote, one member of the UMP or CUE will need to take one for the team and vote in favor if they consider that our military, particularly our air force, needs some long overdue modernization that begins this term, as this is the only way that a MDIS appointed by the current President, (and who currently is the President) will spend any funds on such a project.
This obviously needs to be reflected in the budget to be proposed as well, and is in the draft budget presently. Besides the VAT, the GA also has the confirmation of a new Commissioner of Justice to consider. I would hope that as soon as one or the other matter has been dealt with, a budget will be proposed to the GA, but as I am not an MGA and now, as VP, constitutionally prohibited from taking a seat, I cannot promise that. I will of course remind the ESA MGAs of the necessity to do so.
This is not term 9 and the proposed tax varies somewhat from the flat 10% tax the ECB evaluated, but I believe it is similar enough that the general comment, that the economy will not be significantly negatively affected, would hold true. I expect that the exemptions would more than offset the additional revenue from the 25% category, so the revenue might be slightly less than estimated, which the government has taken into its planning on this matter.
The President ran and was elected on a platform that prominently featured a promise to increase social spending, particularly on medical care, as well as a promise not to cut social spending to fund the military. The people also elected a General Assembly in which a conservative party (CUE) and a moderate party that chose to ally themselves with it (UMP) together held 5 seats in the General Assembly, making it difficult for the government to get a budget passed that would fund those promises.
Since taking office, we have all learned of the worse than previously known condition of our air force. I suggested a compromise that might permit some of those popularly mandated aims to be achieved, that a deal be struck with one or more conservative MGAs whereby if a VAT were approved a set portion would be directed to fund rebuilding of the air force and other necessary repairs and modernization, but not an overall increase or arms build-up. The President met with MGA General Levarge, who had a longer list of requests, but understanding the political situation, was willing to accept this compromise and presumably would have voted for a VAT that was approximately equivalent to the one analyzed by the ECB. That would have provided the necessary 5 votes, if the P4P MGA and every ESA MGA voted for and all the rest of the CUE and UMP MGAs voted against. The General is no longer in the General Assembly, but the deal is still on the table.
I can understand how Kazimierz Reczynski would want to make sure to record his vote against it. The MGAs in general should debate and possibly amend the goods subject to exemption and the goods subject to luxury rates, and what the luxury rate should be. They might even want to adjust the basic 10% rate, but when the best VAT bill that they can devise comes up for a vote, one member of the UMP or CUE will need to take one for the team and vote in favor if they consider that our military, particularly our air force, needs some long overdue modernization that begins this term, as this is the only way that a MDIS appointed by the current President, (and who currently is the President) will spend any funds on such a project.
This obviously needs to be reflected in the budget to be proposed as well, and is in the draft budget presently. Besides the VAT, the GA also has the confirmation of a new Commissioner of Justice to consider. I would hope that as soon as one or the other matter has been dealt with, a budget will be proposed to the GA, but as I am not an MGA and now, as VP, constitutionally prohibited from taking a seat, I cannot promise that. I will of course remind the ESA MGAs of the necessity to do so.
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Vice President Loic de Fourgéres addresses the townhall.
"I have duties to attend to as MIDA, so I will be brief. I have seen a disgusting tract by an unknown group claiming responsibility for the atrocity in New Lancaster City. We don't know yet whether the claim is valid or not, but that mindset is not the Eutopia I know and love. I encourage everyone to speak out against this fringe group that clearly doesn't have your best interests at heart, killing hundreds of bystanders. I will also encourage a march of protest against the violence. Walk down to your city halls chanting 'Democracy not violence!'"
"I have duties to attend to as MIDA, so I will be brief. I have seen a disgusting tract by an unknown group claiming responsibility for the atrocity in New Lancaster City. We don't know yet whether the claim is valid or not, but that mindset is not the Eutopia I know and love. I encourage everyone to speak out against this fringe group that clearly doesn't have your best interests at heart, killing hundreds of bystanders. I will also encourage a march of protest against the violence. Walk down to your city halls chanting 'Democracy not violence!'"
Announcement from the office of Barak Mofaz, both given to the media and sent to workers, staff and management.
"The management of BMI sends its most sincere prayers and wishes to those who lost loved ones in the recent terrorist attack. We at BMI will not sit silently in reaction to this atrocity.
As of this moment, all current projects undertaken by BMI construction are put on hold. But this is not a time for relaxation; instead it is a time for unity and work. I am currently contacting members of the government, and offering the full support of the BMI staff and crews to help in the aftermath of the bombing. This vile assault on the very heart of Eutopia is a national tragedy, and BMI will do everything in its power to alleviate the situation."
"The management of BMI sends its most sincere prayers and wishes to those who lost loved ones in the recent terrorist attack. We at BMI will not sit silently in reaction to this atrocity.
As of this moment, all current projects undertaken by BMI construction are put on hold. But this is not a time for relaxation; instead it is a time for unity and work. I am currently contacting members of the government, and offering the full support of the BMI staff and crews to help in the aftermath of the bombing. This vile assault on the very heart of Eutopia is a national tragedy, and BMI will do everything in its power to alleviate the situation."
Lamont sets up an amp and mic outside the City Hall building. He' s armed with a guitar, and starts playing the familiar blues riff that opens the song.
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright
- Status